Tony Award Winner Nikki M. James Will Depart Broadway's Book of Mormon in January

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30 Dec 2013

Nikki M. James

Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN

Tony Award winner Nikki M. James, who originated the role of Nabulungi in the Tony Award-winning hit The Book of Mormon, will depart the production in early January to join the cast of Les Misérables, which returns to Broadway later this season.

James has been with The Book of Mormon since the musical's March 2011 Broadway premiere, earning a Tony Award for her performance. The actress tweeted that she will play her final performance Jan. 5 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

James will take on the role of Eponine in the Broadway return of Les Misérables, which begins performances March 1 at the Imperial Theatre.

The Book of Mormon currently stars Matt Doyle and Cody Jamison Strand. "American Idol" finalist Syesha Mercado will take over for James as Nabulungi in January.

"South Park" creators-writers Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Tony-winning Avenue Q songwriter Robert Lopez collaborated on the script and score to the musical, which earned Tony Awards for Best Book, Best Score and Best Musical.

Co-directed by Parker and Casey Nicholaw, The Book of Mormon opened to critical acclaim March 24, 2011, at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

The Book of Mormon has set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and sound design by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. Music direction and vocal arrangements are by Oremus.

The Book of Mormon also picked up Tony Awards for Best Direction (Parker and co-director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw), Best Performance by a Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt).